At the Cross

As we bow at the cross we try to block out the worries of our lives; the bills, the problems with our children, our worsening health, the absence of social morals. Our fears slowly fade as we realize the importance of where we are. What had been significant to us a few minutes earlier doesn't matter as much as we watch the blood slowly trickle down the wood and into the dirt beneath us. What we see next will change us forever.

At the cross we see the darkest day in history.

No other tragic event could compare with the death of the Son of God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him and in Him was life, yet He was born to give that life, His perfect life, for sinners like us. How could He be so perfect, so loving, so full of glory and yet be on a cross?

At the cross we see the greatest moment in time.

What other moment could compare to our Savior giving His life for us? There is not a sadder or more glorious day than that day at Calvary. God’s sacrifice is far greater than any other moment in time. God giving His Son for us because of His love and mercy should be on our minds at all times, not only on Sunday mornings at an appointed time, but every day, every second.

At the cross we see our Savior.

His thoughts weren’t on Himself as He hung on the cross but on the welfare of others. The first statement He made wasn’t for His own well-being, but for the concern of those putting Him to death. Through the pain of the nails in his flesh he says, "Father, forgive them." His second statement was to the thief on the cross. He assured him that “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Only Jesus has the authority to bypass baptism on the way to salvation. We don’t have that power, regardless of how many times we may proclaim that we do.

At the cross we see true love.

The world tries to represent lust as true love. We see this in Hollywood (and other places) as people constantly marry, divorce, and remarry. They use the excuse of true love or their own desire for worldly happiness to frequently change their marital partners. Some avoid marriage all together. Here we learn that true love began at the cross.

At the cross we see real peace.

“Not as the world offers peace,” our Savior says in John 15:27. How can our lives be filled with peace when we allow ourselves to daily struggle with worldly dilemmas? How can we lie down at night and sleep peacefully without Jesus? We can’t. Why would we want to face each day without our Brother, Friend and Savior? We shouldn’t.

At the cross we see our pasts.

From our earliest memories we see Him there. Through the joys, the tears, the daily details, we see Him there watching us, smiling at us, holding us. We see the mistakes we’ve made, the sins we’ve committed, the wayward moments of open rebellion, yet He’s still there watching and waiting for us to come home.

At the cross we see our futures.

We see where we’ve been and where He’s taking us and we have hope. We have an assurance so real, so genuine that nothing could or will keep us from it. We wait for the day that He will take us home and pray that He comes soon; not only for us but for our family and friends. We comprehend that today is all that matters in this life; yesterday is over and tomorrow may never be but today we have the opportunity to show Him how much we love Him.

At the cross we finally see.

We look up and finally understand, finally realize what this life is all about. We accept the fact that we can’t do this on our own. We’re not meant to. So we leave Calvary and walk back into our lives with a new awareness of His love, His peace, and His plan for us. And we will never forget that moment, for that moment at Calvary, will be a part of us forever.

Come to the cross, bend your knees, raise your eyes, and open your heart. He will change your life.

-Copyright © 2007 Paula Harrington